Elevator cover



J. D. GAY, JR

ELEVATOR COVER Nav. 12, 1940.

Filed June 30, 1939 Einw/WW@ JTD. GyJii Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE .Y 2,221,236 f n ELEvAToR covEa Jacob D. Gay, Jr., Pine Grove, Ky.

Application June 30, 1939, Serial No.- 282,263

1 Claim. (Cl. 198-160) This invention relates to improvements in agricultural implements and although it is particularly devised for that special use, yet it is not conned thereto as Will later become apparent. A Many conveyor installations in agricultural implements, for example a harvester, are based on the use of double aprons which run in spaced relationship to each other so that the nether apron serves as the carrier and the top apron as a cover.

The advantage of the covering apron arises from its holding down function. The material is conn'ed to the elevator and the covering apron provides a degree oi pressure to keep the material in Contact with the elevating apron. However, this arrangement requires all of the additional mechanism incidental to the extra drive, and Since the covering apron is usually fixed in relationship to the elevating apron, it is not subject to very much yielding with variations in the load. The instant invention overcomes the foregoing diiculties by use of a hinged depressor which not only supplies the desired weight, but also acts as a cover and is capable of considerable yielding. With this preamble in mind the objects of the invention are as fo-llows:

First, to provide an elevator for harvesters and 1 similar agricultural implements, having embodied therein a depressor in spaced relationship to the elevator canvas for the purpose of conning the material and insuring a rmer grip of the elevator slats thereon.

Second, to provide a hinged cover in conjunction with an elevator framing, which swings between the sides of the framing and gravitates upon the material being elevated to impose a weight or tension thereupon to keep it from rolling down the incline or being blown away by the wind.

Other objects and -advantages will appear in the following specificati-on, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of an elevator particularly illustrating the adaptation of the 45 depressor or cover thereto.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the hinged cover.

In carrying out the invention provision is made of a framing generally designated I which in this instance consists of parallel, inclined channels 2 to which the upstanding sides 3 (Fig. 3) are aflixed in any desired way. The framing I and the elevator mechanism which it carries isl herein regarded as comprising part of a harvester, but as previously pointed out, the elevatorcould as well be embodied in some other apparatus intended for the lifting of material from one level to another.

The elevator is now designated 4 for convenient reference. The framing I is set at a pitch, as is characteristic in elevators'. The framing is usually xedly held by structural members 5 which comprise parts of the apparatus. But here again is room for variation because the elevator 4 could be mounted to swing without affecting the principles of the invention in the least. Shafts 6 and 1 respectively at the bottom and top of the elevator 4, carry the usual rollers 8 or their equivalents around which the continuous elevator apron 9 travels. This apron is slatted at Ill.

Driving power is supplied to one or the other of the shafts in any ordinary way. For example, the shaft 6 (Fig. 2) may be extended to carry a sprocket wheel Il, which is adapted to be driven by a chain I2 from the power source on the machine. vThe cover I3 which is the subject of the invention, is movably situated within the connes of the sides 3 to dene a material passageway I4 with said sides and with the top flight of the apron 9. Said cover also acts-in the capacity of a depressor, Vwhich function is augmented by a fairly large curl I5 at the bottom or leading end thereof. This curl adds to the weight, but its rounded surface defines a convenient approach for the material, insuring that the latter will enter the passageway I4 and not buckle up upon itself as would be the case were it confronted with an abrupt edge.

That end of the cover I3 opposite to the curl I5, in other words the upper end, is curved away at I6 on gradual lines, dening a widening outlet I'I to the passageway I4 in the same manner as the curl I5 defines a narrowing inlet I8. The curved portion I6 terminates in a bead I9 through which a rod `2li is extended to form a hinge. The ends of this rod are secured at 2l to the sides 3, and since the cover I3 hangs loosely on the rod 20, it follows that the .cover is free to move up and down in accommodation with increases and decreases in the load of material being elevated by the apron 9.

However, the gravitation of the cover I3 is limited by stops 22. These comprise either the long single cleats suggested in Fig. 2V, and of which one is shown in Fig. l, or some preferred equivalent thereof. Whatever the nature of the stops is they are ordinarily used to support the cover I3 in parallel relationship to the top i'light of the apron 9 or substantially so. The chief purpose of the stops is to avoid the possibility of the cover I3 falling so low as to come into contact either with the apron 9 or its slats.

The operation is readily understood. The normal static condition of the cover I3 establishes a relationship with the elevator apron 9, as shown in Fig. 1. As material is introduced at the narrowing inlet I8 the curvature of the curl I5 will direct said material into the passageway I4 through which it is conveyed by the slats I0. In the majority of cases the passageway I4 is lled fairly well. The weight of the cover depresses the material and maintains its contact with the slats so that there is no possibility of the latter sliding from under the load and thus failing in their function of advancing the material towardv the outlet I'I.

If and when the volume of material increases there Will be a raising of the cover I3. The latter swings on its hinge I9, 2D, and maintains its depressing function regardless of how high it is swung. The Widening outlet I'I provides a convenient discharge for the material, facilitating that function and at the same time affording the most convenient mode of joining the main part of the cover with its hinge end. It will be understood that while the invention resides primarily in the cover I3, said invention also consists of the combination of the cover with the elevator 4. The two work in conjunction to produce the result stated.

I claim:

In a conveyor of the type having a frame and a continuous, slatted canvas working longitudinally between the sides of the conveyor, a cover hinged at one end of the framing, being situated longitudinally of and within the sides to denne with Jthe canvas and sides a closed passageway; stop means along the sides substantially coextensive with the cover, upon which the cover is adapted to rest virtually its full length both to limit the depth of the passageway and to prevent sagging of the cover at any point throughout its length toward the slats.

JACOB D. GAY, JR. 

